Journalnow.com - Winston-Salem Journal

WINSTON-SALEM - Howard Gray, 83, died February 19, 2009 at 2:07 a.m. His life marks the end of one of our city' s most impactful supporters, whose contributions touch the lives of each who reads this and beyond. Working quietly and responsibly behind any spotlight, Gray continued the legacy of "service over self," for which his family was known. His last wish is that the world be a better place for his having lived in it, and his life' s actions prove it. He was born May 10, 1925 in Winston-Salem, the son of James Alexander Gray and Pauline Lisette Bahnson Gray. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1942, and from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1948 with a B.S. Degree in Commerce. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma, honorary scholastic fraternities, and S.A.E. fraternity. He used his business acumen gift to answer the call of civic duty, advise friends, and contribute to Winston-Salem' s institutions which impacted many of our lives. Patriotic and devoted to America, he served in the U.S. Navy, 1944 - 46. Professionally, he was employed at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company from 1948 to 1967, having been named advertising manager and later marketing manager in 1964. In 1960, he received the Jaycee "Young Man of the Year" award for his contributions to the community. He developed and managed the Hanover Arms apartment complex, completed in 1971, and sold in 2002. This landmark has been home to many, an enhancement to the community, and has been converted to popular condominiums. He was a devout member of the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem, beginning with his professional life. He rarely missed a meeting. His last meeting was February 10. His roots were deep in Salem, and his contributions to Old Salem, Home Moravian Church, and Salem Academy and College were numerous. He continued his mother' s Moravian roots, legacy and generosity, with his heart and deeds. He restored the James Hall House in Old Salem and lived there with his family for 25 years, and was a member of Home Moravian Church his entire life and was Chairman of its Board of Trustees (1962 - 64 and 1977-79). He also was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Salem Congregation (1962-64) and a member of the Financial Board of the Southern Province (1974 - 80). He was a trustee of Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA (1962 - 65), from which many Moravian ministers graduated as they began their service to others. The Moravian church was significant in his strong faith, and his dedication to it has quietly touched the spiritual life of its members and missions. He was driven by his spiritual dedication and he followed in his father' s footsteps. From 1964 to 2009, he was the chairman of the church committee and was in charge of the summer worship services at Roaring Gap Church ( 1964 - 2009), personally opening the church at the season' s beginning, and closing it after the Labor Day Weekend by putting the hymnals and prayer books away. During the off-season, he secured ministers for the Sunday services of the Roaring Gap Church. With spiritual roots so deep, he sought to share this with members in his unassuming way. Realizing the need for a parsonage, he spearheaded a capital campaign, then successfully built a cottage that remains a special asset to Roaring Gap. He will also be remembered as one of Old Salem, Inc., Salem Academy and College' s greatest supporters. As a trustee of both educational institutions, (1950 - 59 and 1980 - 86), his legacy leaves scholarships, and momentum behind contributions that will endow educations to the less fortunate. These schools are his mother' s alma maters, as well as the alma mater for his wife, Greta Garth and other important family members. He received the John Amos Comeniuo award from Salem Academy and College in 1992. In making Winston-Salem a better place for its residents, he was president of Family Services Agency (1954 - 56), the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce (1961), Summit School (1964 - 66) and the United Way (1967). He was a board member of Goodwill Industries (1968 - 71), a member of the Winston-Salem Foundation Committee (1963 - 76), Chairman of Forsyth County Hospital Authority (1971 - 72), chairman of Old Salem, Inc. (1974 - 77), and the Winston - Salem Coordinating Committee (1979 - 87). Many residents of Winston-Salem will remember Howard Gray as one of the Central YMCA' s cornerstones. In its inception, he chaired the capital campaign of its building fund, bringing it from inception to completion. Dedicated to his physical health, in addition to spiritual roots, he used the YMCA almost daily, keeping strong, recovering from health setbacks, and maintaining friendships with its members. This legacy also serves others in a critical way, as he would want. His support for the YMCA will continue because of his recent contribution to the current campaign to build two more new branch YMCAs and renovate Camp Hanes.